Net launching tool apparatus

ABSTRACT

Net launching gun apparatus includes a receiver for firing a cartridge having therein a gas propellant, a stock connected to one end of the action and including recoil absorbing elements therein, and a barrel assembly connected to the opposite end of the action which receives the gas propellant and directs the gas propellant to an appropriate barrel assembly in which is disposed weights which are connected to a net. The barrel assembly preferably includes four separate barrels, each of which receives a weight connected to one corner of a four cornered net disposed between the four barrels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to tools or guns firing non-lethal projectiles and, more particularly, to tools or guns used for launching nets for capturing live game.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] For capturing live game, several different methods have been used, such as trapping the game in various types of traps. Such traps include traps large enough to contain the entire animal or traps which are designed to hold a particular part of an animal, such as paw or leg, until the animal can be tranquilized for capture.

[0005] For capturing animals while the animals are moving, nets have been suggested. For the employment of nets, two types have been employed primarily. The first type is used in the prior art for capturing birds by enticing the birds into a particular location. At a time when a maximum number of birds are in a predetermined perimeter, a net which is folded along one side and connected to a plurality of projectiles, each of which is spaced apart from each other, and all of which are aligned generally parallel to each other, is caused to move upwardly and over the animals, carrying the net in an arcuate manner over the birds, thus trapping the birds underneath the net. For this type of apparatus, the net is anchored along one edge, and the net if folded or nested along that edge so that upon the firing of the projectiles connected to the free end of the net, the net moves outwardly and unfolds as it moves outwardly in a relatively straight or aligned manner. Since the net must be fixed at one end, it is obvious that a bird, or other animal which is trapped by the net, must be within a specific locale and must not be able to escape from that locale while the net is moving. This type, used mostly on birds, may also be used on other animals providing the animal can be enticed within the specified area. Obviously, such apparatus is not portable or cannot be taken to a moving animal. Rather, the animal must be brought to the net.

[0006] The apparatus of the present invention is easily transported, both by land and by air, and may thus be used to capture a moving animal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention described and claimed herein comprises a gun utilizing expanding gases from a cartridge. The gases from the fired cartridge are conveyed from the cartridge to a manifold of a barrel assembly where the gases are used to move projectiles down a plurality of barrels. With four barrels, each of which includes a projectile, a net connected to the projectiles is launched at a moving animal. The apparatus includes a recoil absorbing assembly to minimize the “kick” of the apparatus when the cartridge is fired.

[0008] Among the objects of the present invention are the following:

[0009] To provide new and useful gun apparatus;

[0010] To provide new and useful net launching gun apparatus;

[0011] To provide new and useful gun apparatus for launching a projectile by gas from a cartridge;

[0012] To provide new and useful net launching gun apparatus having a plurality of barrels, each of which barrel includes a projectile secured to a net;

[0013] To provide new and useful gun apparatus having a recoil absorbing assembly in a stock;

[0014] To provide new and useful apparatus having a plurality of barrels for launching a net; and

[0015] To provide new and useful apparatus for transmitting gas from a cartridge to a barrel for launching a projectile disposed in the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016]FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a view in partial section of the apparatus taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a side view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, taken generally from Circle 4 of FIG. 3.

[0020]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side view of a net holding bucket usable with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 7 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 6.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a side view of a projectile usable with the apparatus of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 9 is an end view of the projectile of FIG. 8.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a plan view of net launched by the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026]FIG. 1 comprises a side view of net launching gun apparatus 10 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view in partial section of a portion of the net launching gun apparatus 10 taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view in partial section of a portion of the gun apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, taken generally from Circle 4 of FIG. 3, showing details which are not clear from FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. For the following discussion, reference will primarily be made to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0027] The gun apparatus 10 includes a stock 12. A pistol grip 14 extends downwardly from the stock 12. A trigger 16 extends downwardly from the stock 12 and a trigger guard 18 is disposed about the trigger 16 between the stock 12 and the pistol grip 14.

[0028] At the front of the stock 12 is a front grip 20. The front grip 20 extends forwardly and downwardly from the stock 12.

[0029] At the upper portion of the stock 12 is a receiver 30. The receiver 30 is a standard, well known receiver, with a chamber for receiving a single cartridge. A bolt 32 provides communication with the chamber, and, of course, locks the cartridge in the receiver. As is well known and understood, the trigger 16 is mechanically connected to a firing pin and the other well known elements associated with a firing a cartridge.

[0030] A relatively short barrel 34 communicates with the cartridge chamber through which combustion gases from the firing of the cartridge flow to a barrel assembly 50. The barrel assembly 50 includes a manifold 51 which has four arms 54, 56, 58, and 60. A manifold barrel 52 is aligned with the barrel 34. The manifold barrel 52 is secured to the barrel 34 by a jam nut 40.

[0031] Within the manifold 51 is a bore 62 which communicates with bores in the barrels 34 and 52. Each of the arms 54, 56, 58, and 60 includes a manifold runner which also communicates with the bore 62. The runners, shown in dashed line in FIG. 2, include runners 64, 66, 68, and 70, for the arms 54, 56, 58, and 60, respectively.

[0032] Extending outwardly from the distal ends of the arms are internally threaded bosses to which are secured launch barrels. The four bosses extend outwardly at acute angles from the arms. The bosses include a boss 84, a boss 86, a boss 88, and a boss 90 for the arms 54, 56, 58, and 60, respectively.

[0033] The launch barrels include a launch barrel 104, 106, 108, and 110, which are secured to the bosses 84, 86, 88, and 90, respectively. The launch barrels are externally threaded and matingly engage their respective internally threaded bosses. Jam nuts are used to insure that the launch barrels are secured to their respective bosses and arms. The jam nuts shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 include jam nuts 114 and 118 for the launch barrels and boss pairs 84-104 and 88-108, respectively. The launch barrels communicate with the respective manifold runners for receiving the expanding gases from the fired cartridge to propel projectiles, connected to a net, outwardly . This will be discussed indetail below.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a side view in partial section through a portion or the gun apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 showing a recoil absorbing assembly 150. The recoil absorbing assembly extends rearwardly from the stock 12. For the following discussion, reference will primarily be made to FIGS. 1 and 5.

[0035] Within the stock 12 is a shoulder 152. Extending rearwardly from the shoulder 152 is a bore 154. The bore 154 extends to a counterbore 156. The counterbore 156 terminates at a rear shoulder 158 of the stock 12.

[0036] Within the bore 154 and extending partially into the counterbore 156 is an internally threaded bushing 160. An outwardly extending flange 162 of the bushing 160 is disposed against the shoulder 152.

[0037] A tube 170 is disposed rearwardly of the stock 12 and extends into the counterbore 156 and against a flat washer 166 which is disposed against the shoulder 158. The tube 170 includes a bore 172. Within the bore 172, and spaced apart a slight distance from the shoulder 158, is a block 176. The block 176 is appropriately secured within the bore 172, as by welding. A bore 178 extends through the block 176. The bore 178 is aligned with the internally threaded bore in the bushing 160.

[0038] A movable sleeve 180 extends partially into the bore 172. The sleeve 180 includes a bore 182. Within the bore 182 is a block 184. The block 184 is appropriately secured to the sleeve 180, as by welding. Extending through the block 184 is a bore 186. Extending through the bore 186 is a rod 190. The rod 190 includes a cap 192 at one end, with the cap 192 disposed against a washer 194, and the washer 194 is in turn disposed against the block 184. The cap 192 secures one end of the rod 190 to the block 184 and accordingly to the sleeve 180. The opposite end of the rod 190, remote from the block 184, is threaded and extends through the block 176 and into the internally threaded bore of the bushing 160. A washer 196 and a nut 198 are used to insure the securement of the threaded portion of the rod 190 to the bushing 160.

[0039] A compression spring 210 is disposed within the bores 172 and 182 between the blocks 176 and 184. A washer 212 is disposed against the nut 198 at one end of the spring 210 to connect the spring 210 to the block 176, and a washer 214 is disposed against the block 184 at the opposite end of the spring 210 to connect the spring to the block 184. The purpose of the spring 210 is to absorb recoil energy from the firing of the apparatus 10. The rod 190 may move through the bore 186 of the block 184 as relative motion between the tube 170 and the sleeve 180 takes place, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0040] At the end of the sleeve 180, remote from the stock 12, is a shoulder stock 220, and a pad 222 is secured to the stock 220. A flexible sleeve 230 is disposed over the sleeve 180 and the tube 170. The flexible sleeve 230 extends from the shoulder stock 220 onto the tube 170.

[0041] Upon the firing of the apparatus 10, recoil energy causes the stock 12 to move rearwardly. The rearward movement is transmitted through the spring 210 to the sleeve 180. The rearward movement of the stock 12 and the tube 170 causes the spring 210 to compress and to absorb the recoil energy. At the same time, there is movement of the sleeve 180 relative to the stock 12 and the tube 170, as the spring 190 compresses and extends as the recoil energy is imparted to it. The rod 190 moves through the block 184 as the relative motion occurs under the force of the spring 210 and the attendant recoil energy.

[0042]FIG. 6 is a side view of a net holding bucket or basket 240. FIG. 7 is a front view of the bucket or basket 240 of FIG. 6. For the following discussion, reference will primarily be made to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0043] The bucket 240 includes a rear wall 242 and four side walls 244, 248, 252, and 256. The side walls taper outwardly slightly from the rear wall 242. At the juncture of the side walls, there are four tapering recesses which receive the four barrels. The recesses include a recess 246 at the juncture of the walls 244 and 248, a recess 250 at the juncture of the walls 248 and 252, a recess 254 at the juncture of the walls 252 and 256, and a recess 258 at the juncture of the walls 256 and 244. In FIG. 5, barrels 104 and 104 are shown in dash dot line extending into the junctures 246 and 250, respectively.

[0044] The bucket 240 is generally symmetrical, and accordingly may be disposed easily within the barrels.

[0045] For launching a net, projectiles are disposed in the barrels. FIG. 8 is a side view of a projectile 270, and FIG. 9 is an end view of the projectile 270. For the following discussion, reference will primarily be made to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0046] The projectile 270 includes a generally cylindrical body 272, separated by a circumferentially extending groove 276 from a rounded nose 274. Remote from the nose 274, at the rear of the body 272 is a shoulder 278. Extending outwardly from the shoulder 278 is a tab 280. An aperture 282 extends through the tab 280. The aperture 280 receives a flexible line that secures a net to the projectile. The groove 276 may receive a sealing o-ring to help hold the gases from escaping around the projectiles as the projectiles are propelled from the respective barrels. The o-rings also help to hold the projectiles in the barrels prior to firing by providing a frictional engagement between the projectiles and the barrels.

[0047]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a net 290 which may be launched from the apparatus 10. The net 290 is shown as a generally square element. However, it is obvious that various configurations may be used for a net. At the corners of the net 290 are flexible lines 292. At the ends of the lines 292, remote from the net 290, are projectiles 270.

[0048] In operation, a bucket or basket 240 is disposed within the four barrels 104, 106, etc. The bucket or basket 240 may be secured by any convenient fastening elements, such as hook and loop fasteners, straps, etc. A net 290 is then loaded into the bucket 240 and tape, such as shown in FIG. 1 by reference numerals 300 and 302, may be used to secure the net within the bucket. The use of the tape strips 300 and 302 holds the net 290 in the bucket 240 and yet allows the net to be launched easily from the apparatus 10.

[0049] A projectile 270, secured to the net 290 by a line 292, is then placed in each barrel. With four barrels, four projectiles 270 are required.

[0050] A blank cartridge is loaded into the receiver by drawing the bolt 32 upwardly and rearwardly, as is well known and understood. Typically, closing the bolt also cocks the firing mechanism, as is also well known and understood.

[0051] After aiming the apparatus 10, pulling the trigger fires the cartridge and the gases from the cartridge flow as discussed above into the four barrels. The gases then propel the projectiles 270 outwardly from the barrels, and the lines 292 connected to the projectiles 270 and to the net 290 launch the net from the bucket 240.

[0052] While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What I claim is:
 1. Net launching tool apparatus for launching a net, comprising in combination: receiver means for holding a gas producing cartridge; gas manifold means adjustably secured to the receiver means; barrel means, including a plurality of barrels secured to the gas manifold means for receiving a propelling gas from the gas manifold means; stock means secured to the receiver means, including handle means for holding the apparatus, action means for firing the gas producing cartridge, and recoil means for absorbing recoil energy from the firing of the gas producing cartridge; and projectile means secured to the net and disposed within the barrels of the barrel means and defining projectiles launched from the barrels by the propelling gas.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which projectile means includes a plurality of projectiles, with a projectile disposed in each barrel of the plurality of barrels.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the plurality of barrels of the barrel means includes four barrels; and the plurality of projectiles of the projectile means includes four projectiles, each of which is disposed in a barrel, and adapted to be propelled out of the barrels by the gas from the gas producing cartridge to launch the net.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes a bucket disposed within the barrel means for holding the net prior to launching.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the gas manifold means includes valve means for varying the quantity of gas flowing to the barrels to provide a predetermined pattern for launching the weights from the barrels.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stock means further includes a base stock, and the receiver and handle means are secured to the base stock.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 or 6 in which the stock means further includes recoil means for absorbing recoil energy from the firing of the gas producing cartridge.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the recoil means includes a first tube secured to the base stock; a rod disposed in the first tube; a second tube disposed in the first tube and movably secured on the rod; and compression spring means disposed about the rod in the first tube for biasing the second tube out of the first tube and for absorbing recoil energy when the second tube is moved into the first tube against the spring bias.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the stock means further includes a butt plate secured to the second tube remote from the base stock and adapted to be disposed against a user's shoulder when using the net launching apparatus. 